The Carolina Panthers secured a 16-13 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 9, extending their streak of not allowing an opposing offensive touchdown in the first quarter for the ninth consecutive game this season.
Linebacker Christian Rozeboom led all players with a career-high 15 tackles, including one for loss and a forced fumble—his first career forced fumble. Rozeboom also became the first Panthers linebacker since Luke Kuechly in 2016 to record back-to-back games with at least 12 tackles. The forced fumble marked only the fourth turnover by the Packers this season.
Defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton recorded his second sack of the year, bringing down Packers quarterback Jordan Love for an eight-yard loss. Wharton finished with a personal best of seven total tackles, one tackle for loss, two quarterback hits, and one sack.
Rookie Trevin Wallace had a season-high nine tackles and contributed one quarterback hit and a pass defensed. The Panthers’ defense managed six quarterback hurries overall. Safety Tre’von Moehrig grabbed his first interception of the season—and seventh of his career—off Love in the third quarter, along with five tackles, two tackles for loss, and two passes defensed. Love has thrown just three interceptions this season.
Quarterback Bryce Young led a nine-play, 40-yard drive late in the fourth quarter that ended with kicker Ryan Fitzgerald making a 49-yard field goal to win the game. This was Young’s ninth game-winning drive since joining the NFL in 2023, tying him with Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and Geno Smith for most such drives during that span.
Running back Rico Dowdle ran for 130 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns on 25 carries while adding 11 receiving yards. It was his seventh career game surpassing 100 rushing yards and his third this season. Dowdle is now the first Panthers running back since Chuba Hubbard (December 2024) to score two rushing touchdowns in a single game and has four rushing touchdowns on the year—a new personal best.
Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan caught four passes for 46 yards; his second catch moved him into eighth place all-time in franchise receptions history. He also recorded two explosive plays to bring his season total to seventeen.
Punter Sam Martin landed one punt inside the twenty-yard line—his career total is now 299, placing him twentieth all-time among NFL punters. Fitzgerald’s field goal was his second game-winner this season; he is now the first rookie kicker since Evan McPherson (2021) to have multiple game-winning field goals.
On offense, Dowdle played most of the snaps at running back (72 percent), while Chuba Hubbard saw action on key plays despite fewer snaps (22 percent). The team continued its strategy of utilizing three tight ends frequently to support their run-heavy approach.
Damien Lewis left after just two snaps due to injury, leading Jake Curhan to play both guard positions early before Chandler Zavala exited with an elbow issue.
On defense, Wharton played nearly every snap (91 percent), supported by Derrick Brown (81 percent) and A’Shawn Robinson (49 percent). Outside linebackers Nic Scourton (78 percent) and D.J. Wonnum (75 percent) were heavily used because of injuries at their position group; newcomer Trevis Gipson rotated in as needed.
Special teams contributors like Thomas Incoom and Akayleb Evans returned to their usual roles after playing more defensive snaps last week due to roster needs from an earlier blowout loss. Jeremiah Moon made his debut on special teams after being called up from the practice squad.
Veteran right tackle Taylor Moton participated only on special teams because he was recovering from a knee injury but remained available as an emergency option on offense.
